Saudi deputy defense minister relieved of post

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah relieved the deputy defense minister of his post Saturday, barely six weeks after he was appointed.

The decree published in the official Saudi Press Agency didn't explain why Prince Khalid bin Bandar was removed from his post. Prince Khalid was only appointed deputy defense minister in May.

Prior to that, he was the governor of the Riyadh region since February 2013. He is the son of Prince Bandar, one of the eldest surviving sons of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the kingdom.

No replacement has been announced. The brief announcement carrying the royal decree didn't say Prince Khalid asked to be relieved of his post, a traditional formula used when there are unexpected changes in the government.

This is the fourth time in 18 months the deputy defense minister has been changed.